The highly-anticipated return of the Scout nameplate is official! Volkswagen's new Scout Motors brand just introduced not one, but two new EV concepts- the Scout Traveler SUV and Scout Terra truck. Both usher in a new era for the Scout, which was originally the International Scout, an off-road vehicle built by International Harvester from 1961-1980. Volkswagen acquired rights to the International Scout brand in 2021. Scout calls the two new concepts production-intent. Designed and engineered in Michigan, they'll built at the automaker's new South Carolina plant, with production slated to begin in 2026.
“Two years in the making, the day has finally come to share the next generation of Scout vehicles with the world,” said Scott Keogh, President and CEO, Scout Motors. “The original core idea — rugged, versatile vehicles capable of off-road adventure and family duty — is more relevant than ever. We couldn’t be prouder to revitalize this iconic American brand, create thousands of American jobs, and put American ingenuity back to work.”
Design
The Scout Traveler and Scout Terra ride on an all-new body-on-frame platform with a solid rear axle that Scout says is designed to deliver capability and off-road performance.
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Scout Motors says its first priority was to honor the spirit of the original Scout vehicles. Both concepts feature a bold, rugged design with a very short front overhang, long dash-to-axle, with the visual weight of the cabin shifted to the rear. Scout says the vehicles are so rugged on their own they don't need add-on cladding or other adornments. Bumpers and rockers are separated from the body as protective elements.
The Scout logo is offset to the right on the front grille (from the front.) The vertical black masks on the front and rear are a nod to Scout heritage and are proudly vertical. The daytime running lamps form clean, horizontal lines. They continue from the mask, into the body and mimic the visual of the side markers on the original Scout II SUV.
Capability
These are both serious off-roaders with standard four-wheel drive, up to 35-inch tires, over 1 foot of ground clearance, nearly 3 feet of water fording capability, a front sway bar disconnect, front and rear mechanical lockers, competitive approach and departure angles, and robust suspension options. Fully electric Scout vehicles are targeted to climb 100 percent grades and accelerate 0-60 mph in as quick as 3.5 seconds made possible by an estimated nearly 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque.
Scout says the Terra will tow more than 10,000 pounds, and the Traveler SUV over 7,000 pounds. Both should deliver nearly 2,000 pounds of payload.
Cabin Experience
Modern cabin interiors are clean, simple and bold. They incorporate durable, sustainable materials. Scout also went for a largely 'tactile experience'. From mechanical door handles, to grab bars, to switches and dials, Scout vehicles are designed to provide a real hands-on user experience.
The interior's instrument panel is a throwback to the original Scout II with its bold upper brow and deep undercut. The digital interface is called Scout Community UX.
Multiple roof top options offer an open-air experience. The available Cabana Top, targeted to be one of the largest roof openings of any SUV. The available glass roof will provide expansive sky views.
There are seating choices, too. A multifunctional console and bench seat will be available to order in both the Traveler and Terra models.
Utility
The Scout Traveler and Scout Terra feature durable materials and flexible cargo areas throughout. Both vehicles will include a front trunk capable of fitting golf clubs, a gym bag, and a small cooler, as well as powering multiple devices with 120V and USB-C power outlets. The Traveler SUV enjoys the benefits of a split tailgate.
The Scout Terra has a 5.5-foot pickup bed with 120V power outlets and one 240V power outlet that can be used to power heavy-duty tools at a jobsite or to keep home appliances running during an outage. A rear spare tire carrier intentionally integrates into the body structure and the graphic of the rear mask, carrying up to a full 35-inch spare with minimal impact to aerodynamics. The Terra offers an underbody spare tire carrier for sizes up to 33 inches and an optional in-bed tire carrier for 35-inch all-terrain tires.
Accessories
A bunch of accessories will be available, including auxiliary lighting, assist steps, power off-boarding solutions, off-road bumpers with recovery points, a heavy-duty winch, and more. Powered accessories are projected to be integrated into the Scout user experience, assigned to switches, and in some cases controlled by the customer’s mobile app, so installation, set-up, and control are easy.
Range Expectations
VW cites an expected 350-miles of standard range for both EVs. An extended range variant (EREV) is expected to boost that to more than 500 miles of range through a built-in, gas-powered generator. The EREV system is called "Harvester".
Charging
All Scout vehicles will use the North American Charging Standard (NACS), 800-volt (V) architecture, up to 350 kilowatt charging capability, and will be capable of bi-directional charging.
Pricing
Scout says pricing for the Traveler SUV will start as low as $50,000, with available incentives, with retail prices starting under $60,000. The Terra truck entry model will start as low as $51,500 with available incentives, with retail prices starting under $60,000.
Availability and Reservations
So how will you be able to get one? Well, if VW's plans hold out, it won't be through any of its dealers. The automaker instead plans to offer direct sales through Scout Motors. It's a plan VW dealers are unhappy about and one that Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds criticizes in his all-new commentary that you can read here.
Scout Motors is accepting reservations for the Scout Traveler and Scout Terra at 6:30 p.m. Consumers can visit www.scoutmotors.com to make a reservation to order their vehicle after placing a $100 fully refundable reservation fee.
Scout Traveler SUV:
